Best Five Buddhist Books Of All Time learn What Buddhism Taught

There are hundreds of books available based on teaching of Buddha or about life of Buddha, here we choose the best 5, for beginners and newbies who want to learn about Buddha.

What the Buddha Taught

By Walpola Rahula

What the Buddha Taught, This indispensable volume is a lucid and faithful account of the Buddha’s teachings. For years,” says the Journal of the Buddhist Society, the newcomer to Buddhism has lacked a simple and reliable introduction to the complexities of the subject. Dr. Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught fills the need as only could be done by one having a firm grasp of the vast material to be sifted. It is a model of what a book should be that is addressed first of all to the educated and intelligent reader.’ Authoritative and clear, logical and sober, this study is as comprehensive as it is masterly.” This edition contains a selection of illustrative texts from the Suttas and the Dhammapada (specially translated by the author), sixteen illustrations, and a bibliography, glossary and index. [Source]

Being Good: Buddhist Ethics for Everyday Life

By: Master Hsing YunBeing Good: The aim of this book is simple: to invite readers to consider what it means to lead a good life, and to offer practical advice, based on the Buddhist teachings, as to how this can be accomplished. In each of more than thirty brief essays, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, treats a specific moral or ethical issue, using quotations from the rich treasury of the Buddhist scriptures as a point of departure for his discussion.

Among the topics he considers are controlling the body and speech, overcoming greed, ending anger, having patience under insult, managing wealth, getting along with others, what it means to practice Buddhism, and the blessings and joys of that practice. The Buddhist precepts are introduced as guideposts along this path of liberation, and friendship, gratitude, and service to others are presented as essential elements of a common quest to discover and to embody our innate goodness and humanity.[source]

The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation

By William Hart

The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation The Ancient Meditation Technique that Brings Real Peace of MindVipassand-bhavand, “the development of insight,” embodies the essence of the teaching of the Buddha. As taught by S. N. Goenka, this path to self-awareness is extraordinary in its simplicity, its lack of dogma and, above all, its results. The Vipassana technique can be successfully applied by anyone.

Based on the lectures and writings of S. N. Goenka–and prepared under his direct guidance.[source]

The works of the Buddha can feel vast, and it is sometimes difficult for even longtime students to know where to look, especially since the Buddha never explicitly defined the framework behind his teachings. Designed to provide just such a framework, In the Buddha’s Words is an anthology of the Buddha’s works that has been specifically compiled by a celebrated scholar and translator. For easy reference, the book is arrayed in ten thematic sections ranging from “The Human Condition” to “Mastering the Mind” to “The Planes of Realization.” Each section comes with introductions, notes, and essays to help beginners and experts alike draw greater meaning from the Buddha’s words. The book also features a general introduction by the author that fully lays out how and why he has arranged the Buddha’s teachings in this volume. This thoughtful compilation is a valuable resource for both teachers and those who want to read the Buddha on their own.[Source]

Opening the Door of Your Heart

Opening the Door of Your Heart A delightful book full of tales of hope, love, forgiveness, freedom from fear, and overcoming pain which cleverly relates the timeless wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings and the true path to happiness. In nearly 30 years as a Buddhist monk, born in the West but trained in the Thai forest tradition, Ajahn Brahm has gathered many poignant, funny and profound stories. In this collection of teaching stories are many true-to-life tales, which are used to launch a deeper exposition of mindfulness, wisdom, love and compassion.

Ajahn Brahm also relates wise teachings from his renowned and saint-like teacher, Ajahn Chah. His younger years in the Thai forest provided fertile ground for humour when , for instance, he had to eat boiled frog on rice for his only meal of the day. The stories that emerge are thoughtful, funny and enlightening. Told with wit and wisdom, these tales reveal the qualities of devotion, humility and diligence. They also expose moments of insight, wisdom and compassion in the lives of ordinary people.[Source]